Pacifism and Religious Teaching Target: To understand Religious Teachings on War. To understand what is meant by pacifism.

Starter

• Jesus was quite specific with his teaching on War. In the Garden of Gethsemane when he was arrested one of his disciples cut the ear off a Jewish soldier. Jesus healed the wound and said

• “ Those who live by the sword die by the sword”

• Watch the following clip….. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVhhDRIol4g

Activation • “Thou shall not kill” (Ten

Commandments)

• “Blessed are the peacemakers”

• “Turn the other cheek” (Matthew)

• Martin Luther King showed the power of non violent protest in his fight against racism in the United States.

• Give examples of his non violent work.

Pacifism In Action

• Pacifists are people who do not believe in violence under any situation.

• Quakers are Christians who believe in non-violence. During the First World War, instead of fighting, they volunteered to join the Red Cross.

• YouTube - The Red Cross in World War One 1914 - 1918

Demonstration

• Study Islam and Christianity worksheets. Read through together, underlining key teachings.

Plenary

• Listen to the following discussion.

• Buddhist, Muslim and Christian members discuss pacifism. (27 minutes)

• BBC - Religions - Christianity: War